Jump to content

Oostduinkerke: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 51°07′N 2°41′E / 51.117°N 2.683°E / 51.117; 2.683
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
m In the 13th century, Dunkirk was not part of France.
No edit summary
Line 33: Line 33:
}}
}}


'''Oostduinkerke''' is a place in the [[Belgium|Belgian]] province of [[West Flanders]], where it is located on the southern west coast of Belgium, so that part of it is a [[seaside resort]].
'''Oostduinkerke''' ({{IPA-nl|ˌoːstˈdœyŋkɛrkə}}; {{lang-fr|Ostdunkerque}} {{IPA-fr|ɔstdœ̃kɛʁk||}}; {{lang-vls|Ôostduunkerke}}) is a place in the [[Belgium|Belgian]] province of [[West Flanders]], where it is located on the southern west coast of Belgium, so that part of it is a [[seaside resort]].
Once a municipality of its own, Oostduinkerke now is a sub-municipality in the municipality of [[Koksijde]].
Once a municipality of its own, Oostduinkerke now is a sub-municipality in the municipality of [[Koksijde]].

Revision as of 17:16, 26 October 2021

Oostduinkerke
Former townhall Oostduinkerke
Former townhall Oostduinkerke
Coordinates: 51°07′13″N 2°40′43″E / 51.12028°N 2.67861°E / 51.12028; 2.67861
CountryBelgium
Province West Flanders
MunicipalityKoksijde
Population
 • Total8.534
 Source: NIS
Postal code
8670

Oostduinkerke (Dutch pronunciation: [ˌoːstˈdœyŋkɛrkə]; French: Ostdunkerque [ɔstdœ̃kɛʁk]; Template:Lang-vls) is a place in the Belgian province of West Flanders, where it is located on the southern west coast of Belgium, so that part of it is a seaside resort.

Once a municipality of its own, Oostduinkerke now is a sub-municipality in the municipality of Koksijde.

The name "Oostduinkerke" translates as 'East Dunkirk'. The town originally shared its name with the city of Dunkirk in current-day France ; therefore, in the 13th century, 'Oost-' was added to its name to avoid confusion with its namesake further to the west.

Oostduinkerke lies amidst a dune area (approximately 2.4 km2), which is now a protected nature reserve.

To go for walks in the nature reserves (7 km2) or on the beach (8 km) or on the promenade (3.6 km) is a refreshing experience. The sandy beach stretches from 250 to 700 m at ebb-tide and extends over 30 km, via De Panne to the beach of Dunkirk (France), which explains why Oostduinkerke is popular with sand yachters and parakarters.

Shrimp fishing on horseback

Oostduinkerke is the only place in the world where horseback shrimping is practiced.

Oostduinkerke is known for its shrimpers on horseback, a considerable tourist attraction. It is the only place in the world where horseback shrimping is practiced.

Sights

Oostduinkerke has several museums. The National Fishery Museum gives a historical survey of Flemish fishery and shows among other things scale models of fishing boats from 800 AD up to the present, and an original fisherman's cottage. Other museums are: 'The Key and Lock Museum' (a unique historical survey of 3,000 years of keys and locks), a regional museum 't Krekelhof (a huge collection of craft objects and curiosities from the 19th century), and Florishof (old crafts and folkloristic objects).

Oostduinkerke is also home to Koksijde Golf ter Hille, a par-72 golf course.

The British Military Cemetery (1940–1945) bears witness to British sacrifices in the Battle of Dunkirk.

Images

51°07′N 2°41′E / 51.117°N 2.683°E / 51.117; 2.683